Washington
D.C. ____ Representative Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) Tuesday June 21st,
voted for HR-4369, which authorizes the financing of the transfer of ownership
of the Ontario Airport from the City of Los Angeles to a new Airport Authority
made up of the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County. Representative Cook
joined with a bipartisan coalition of Inland Empire legislators, in
co-sponsoring this legislation. It passed the House of Representatives with
overwhelming support.

The
Bill permits the Department of Transportation to authorize the use of a
passenger facility charge (PFC) to finance the transfer of Ontario Airport back
to local authorities. The fees will help pay off the cost for the two
terminals. Under the transfer agreement, the Ontario International Airport
Authority will pay Los Angeles World Airports $50 million from
passenger facility charges in the first five years; and another $70 million
from passenger facility charges in the final five years.

Ontario
allowed Los Angeles to operate the airport beginning in 1967 but turned over
ownership in 1985. In recent years, the number of annual passengers has dropped
from 7.2 million in 2007 to 4.2 million in 2012.

Cook
said, “This Bill is critical to complete the transfer process of the Ontario
Airport back to local control. Without this legislation, we can’t complete the
transfer which is critical for the Inland region. I’m confident local control
will mean revitalization of the airport which will be good for our economy and
good for our residents.”

Representative Paul Cook is a member
of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees,
Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in
the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze
Star and two Purple Hearts.